02/12/26 GOD COMMUNICATES WITH US
God is not revealing anything new through so-called prophets.
God does speak to His people today, but not in the Prophetic or Apostolic way that He did in the Bible.
A basic checklist. Not intended to be a complete work, but it can be a good guideline.
God's REVELATION of His inerrant word was given only to Divinely chosen, anointed, inspired, guided, Spirit-filled men (holy men of old).
God's CONVICTION of sin and His CALL to repentance are given to sinners.
God's ENLIGHTENMENT is given through His word to believers who seek God (leading to growth in grace and knowledge).
God's personal leading is given to believers who seek God's will.
This does not depend on signs or fleeces, but rather spiritual awareness and discernment, which develop with spiritual maturity and a closeness to God (and they are always aligned with God's infallible word).
Always test the spirits, to see if they are of God.
Beware of those who claim, "I got a word from the Lord," Or "God told me."
It probably is not from God at all.
It is never a "New Revelation."
If it is God's leading, it will never disagree with the Bible.
If it is God's leading, it will always align with New Testament truth.
It might not be spiritual awakening at all; it might only be the awakening of the human mind to natural truth.
Beware of people who claim that God gave them a "word from the Lord" for someone else. (God talks directly to His own people.)
Beware of so-called "Prophetic utterances."
God does not speak to anyone in KJV English.
There are no present-day New Testament Apostles or Prophets. Any such claim is either from ignorance or deception. (Legitimate present-day "prophecy" is almost always the forthtelling of the word of God, but almost never the foretelling of future events.)
God does not appoint and send local people to give personal prophecies to neighbors or fellow church people.
Christians are God's witnesses, God's ambassadors; we are not God's revelators.
A faithful witness tells the truth. A legitimate ambassador is faithful to the actual words of authority.
Ours is a derived and a restricted authority, bound by Biblical protocols.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
02/12/26 WE ALREADY KNOW THE ENDING
02/12/26 WE ALREADY KNOW THE ENDING
An outline of the demonic plan to destroy America (a plan that has worked in other countries).
Bible rejection. Already enacted academically, politically, socially, and religiously (corruption of the Christian message).
Ballot manipulation. Already enacted by interference, lies, fraud, illegal aliens, and intimidation.
Bullet domination. Evil men and an evil agenda are totally dedicated to total destruction.
Body Bags implementation. Their philosophy is, "The right to kill."
SOMETHING I RECENTLY WROTE...
(quote) Here is a brief outline of America's fall from greatness to destruction.
The Bible. God's word gave America a foundation and guiding light that made America the greatest country in the history of the world, and also gave us the Divine solution to all of our earthly ills, but it has been abandoned.
The Ballot. The ability of citizens to choose their government, their laws, and their leadership. But America gave up the power of the Ballot when those who were elected were not held accountable for their abuse of their power and position. The Ballot has become a placebo and an opiate, a drug that killed America. The Ballot became a total joke, being manipulated for a totally godless political platform for the godless, Socialist leaning party today. The Ballot gives power to do good, but the Ballot does not keep the elected from turning on the people. The Ballot has failed.
The Bullet. When the people get tired of the oppression that follows their wasted Ballot, they often resort to the Bullet. While God will sometimes use social upheaval to relieve the people, it is only a band-aid, a quick fix, lasting only as long as there is a turning back to God and His word. If there is no actual return to God and His word, then the Bullets of the oppressor often outlast the Bullets of the oppressed. Eventually, if the society is not built on God and His word, then the Ballot and the Bullet will ultimately fail.
The Body Bags. When the Ballots and Bullets of well-intentioned people are silenced by the Bullets of the wicked, then the Body Bags will begin to stack-up, quelling the human attempt at reform.
The only answer to man's dilemma is to receive and believe God and His word. I hate to say it, but I think that ship has already sailed and our society is in a death spiral.
Our society has favored the worldly answers instead of the Biblical answers and directives. Do not align with the wicked, Christless agenda of the party that has an anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-family, anti-freedom platform. Don't let your quiet acquiescence help them kill the pre-born, mutilate and pervert the children and the youth, overthrow the family, undermine our Constitution, betray us to our enemies. Silent support is cowardly participation. And do not follow a supposed champion into an evil agenda. I am sickened (literally sickened) at the flood of perversity, sinsanity, idiocracy, the raping of our children (including literal raping right before our very eyes), attacks on our faith, the selling of our country. (end quote)
LET ME ADD...
The Bible tells us how this all turns out. There is no hope in human solution. The only hope is Jesus, and America will ultimately fail because it rejects Christ as Savior and Lord (you cannot have one without the other).
God postpones the return of Christ in order to give mankind every opportunity, but this world will not submit to God as King. Even the earthly reign of Jesus during the Millenium will be enforced with a rod of iron and will culminate in a worldwide rebellion.
Then comes the end of this present evil world.
Then comes eternal judgment.
Then comes eternal separation for the rebellious.
Then comes eternal reign of righteousness in a New Heaven, a New Earth and a New Jerusalem.
He is coming. Now is the accepted time of salvation. Don't wait, because He has already said, "Ready or not, here I come."
Even so, come Lord Jesus.
An outline of the demonic plan to destroy America (a plan that has worked in other countries).
Bible rejection. Already enacted academically, politically, socially, and religiously (corruption of the Christian message).
Ballot manipulation. Already enacted by interference, lies, fraud, illegal aliens, and intimidation.
Bullet domination. Evil men and an evil agenda are totally dedicated to total destruction.
Body Bags implementation. Their philosophy is, "The right to kill."
SOMETHING I RECENTLY WROTE...
(quote) Here is a brief outline of America's fall from greatness to destruction.
The Bible. God's word gave America a foundation and guiding light that made America the greatest country in the history of the world, and also gave us the Divine solution to all of our earthly ills, but it has been abandoned.
The Ballot. The ability of citizens to choose their government, their laws, and their leadership. But America gave up the power of the Ballot when those who were elected were not held accountable for their abuse of their power and position. The Ballot has become a placebo and an opiate, a drug that killed America. The Ballot became a total joke, being manipulated for a totally godless political platform for the godless, Socialist leaning party today. The Ballot gives power to do good, but the Ballot does not keep the elected from turning on the people. The Ballot has failed.
The Bullet. When the people get tired of the oppression that follows their wasted Ballot, they often resort to the Bullet. While God will sometimes use social upheaval to relieve the people, it is only a band-aid, a quick fix, lasting only as long as there is a turning back to God and His word. If there is no actual return to God and His word, then the Bullets of the oppressor often outlast the Bullets of the oppressed. Eventually, if the society is not built on God and His word, then the Ballot and the Bullet will ultimately fail.
The Body Bags. When the Ballots and Bullets of well-intentioned people are silenced by the Bullets of the wicked, then the Body Bags will begin to stack-up, quelling the human attempt at reform.
The only answer to man's dilemma is to receive and believe God and His word. I hate to say it, but I think that ship has already sailed and our society is in a death spiral.
Our society has favored the worldly answers instead of the Biblical answers and directives. Do not align with the wicked, Christless agenda of the party that has an anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-family, anti-freedom platform. Don't let your quiet acquiescence help them kill the pre-born, mutilate and pervert the children and the youth, overthrow the family, undermine our Constitution, betray us to our enemies. Silent support is cowardly participation. And do not follow a supposed champion into an evil agenda. I am sickened (literally sickened) at the flood of perversity, sinsanity, idiocracy, the raping of our children (including literal raping right before our very eyes), attacks on our faith, the selling of our country. (end quote)
LET ME ADD...
The Bible tells us how this all turns out. There is no hope in human solution. The only hope is Jesus, and America will ultimately fail because it rejects Christ as Savior and Lord (you cannot have one without the other).
God postpones the return of Christ in order to give mankind every opportunity, but this world will not submit to God as King. Even the earthly reign of Jesus during the Millenium will be enforced with a rod of iron and will culminate in a worldwide rebellion.
Then comes the end of this present evil world.
Then comes eternal judgment.
Then comes eternal separation for the rebellious.
Then comes eternal reign of righteousness in a New Heaven, a New Earth and a New Jerusalem.
He is coming. Now is the accepted time of salvation. Don't wait, because He has already said, "Ready or not, here I come."
Even so, come Lord Jesus.
02/10/26 DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER
02/10/26 DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER
If you are happy with the status quo of Christianity in the social arena, you might not want to read this post, which I wrote today. (so what else is new).
Although proclaiming Biblical truth has been the work of Bible preachers for 2,000 years, there have been relatively few who have taken the message of God to the Gates of Hell, therefore the Gates of Hell have been seizing unguarded territories of Christians, families, churches, and freedom-loving communities (including God-given rights and responsibilities). Jesus promised that the Gates of Hell (the wisdom, the power, the politics, the finances, the philosophy, the rule, the oppression of Satanic leadership) would not prevail against the Church. But most of what is called "the Church" today is an empty, corrupted, lifeless religion pretending to be Christian. And most of the "champions" of the Church are gutless, spineless, mindless puppets of the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the prince of darkness.
The true Church does not submit to the enemy of our souls. The "Church of Laodicea" (the end times "church") is an unrepentant whore, satisfying the lusts of the world.
Remember,
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
This is only a smattering of my introduction to the thoughts I have today, concerning the end-times imitation of Christianity. I would love to tell you the history of its pollution and demise. I would love to tell you about the utter wickedness, in which it wallows today. I would love to tell you what is needed to save our children. But the task is too great for this limited platform.
Here is a brief outline of America's fall from greatness to destruction.
The Bible. God's word gave America a foundation and guiding light that made America the greatest country in the history of the world and also gave us the Divine solution to all of our earthly ills, but it has been abandoned.
The Ballot. The ability of citizens to choose their government, their laws, their leadership. But America gave up the power of the Ballot when those who were elected were not held accountable for their abuse of their power and position. The Ballot has become a placebo and an opiate, a drug that killed America. The Ballot became a total joke, being manipulated for a totally godless political platform for the godless, Socialist leaning party today. The Ballot gives power to do good, but the Ballot does not keep the elected from turning on the people. The Ballot has failed.
The Bullet. When the people get tired of the oppression that follows their wasted Ballot, they often resort to the Bullet. While God will sometimes use social upheaval to relieve the people, it is only a band-aid, a quick fix, lasting only as long as there is a turning back to God and His word. If there is no actual return to God and His word, then the Bullets of the oppressor often outlast the Bullets of the oppressed. Eventually, if the society is not built on God and His word, then the Ballot and the Bullet will ultimately fail.
The Body Bags. When the Ballots and Bullets of well-intentioned people are silenced by the Bullets of the wicked, then the Body Bags will begin to stack-up, quelling the human attempt at reform.
The only answer to man's dilemma is to receive and believe God and His word. I hate to say it, but I think that ship has already sailed and our society is in a death spiral.
Our society has favored the worldly answers instead of the Biblical answers and directives. Do not align with the wicked, Christless agenda of the party that has an anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-family, anti-freedom platform. Don't let your quiet acquiescence help them kill the pre-born, mutilate and pervert the children and the youth, overthrow the family, undermine our Constitution, betray us to our enemies. Silent support is cowardly participation. And do not follow a supposed champion into an evil agenda. I am sickened (literally sickened) at the flood of perversity, sinsanity, idiocracy, the raping of our children (including literal raping right before our very eyes), attacks on our faith, the selling of our country.
The only real choice we have (and it has been the only real choice all along) is personal faith in, and a surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord, and a commitment to believe and live-out the word of God, regardless of the cost.
I have not scratched the surface of the surface of the surface of what bothers me today. But as a Social Influencer (since before there was such a thing as a Social Network or Social Media) I was scoffed, denounced, rejected for telling the truth about abortion, the corruption of the Public School, the innumerable sins of the flesh, the betrayal of America, and in the words of Yul Brynner's King Mongkut, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
Now, today, more than forty years later, Social Influencers, some politicians, some media people, some educators, some lawyers, some preachers are finally agreeing with what I cried aloud decades ago. I was rebuffed by friends, acquaintances, as well as by America's leading Christian preachers, leading Government and Political leaders, local pastors and lawyers and educators. Finally, today, waaaay toooo late, some of them are agreeing with some of my warnings. But it is too little too late.
I quote a much more worthy voice, when I say,
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
It is waaaay past time to quit playing Christian. If your relationship with Jesus does not shout loudly and consistantly your commitment to God and His truth, then you are not actually a Christian.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Although proclaiming Biblical truth has been the work of Bible preachers for 2,000 years, there have been relatively few who have taken the message of God to the Gates of Hell, therefore the Gates of Hell have been seizing unguarded territories of Christians, families, churches, and freedom-loving communities (including God-given rights and responsibilities). Jesus promised that the Gates of Hell (the wisdom, the power, the politics, the finances, the philosophy, the rule, the oppression of Satanic leadership) would not prevail against the Church. But most of what is called "the Church" today is an empty, corrupted, lifeless religion pretending to be Christian. And most of the "champions" of the Church are gutless, spineless, mindless puppets of the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the prince of darkness.
The true Church does not submit to the enemy of our souls. The "Church of Laodicea" (the end times "church") is an unrepentant whore, satisfying the lusts of the world.
Remember,
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
This is only a smattering of my introduction to the thoughts I have today, concerning the end-times imitation of Christianity. I would love to tell you the history of its pollution and demise. I would love to tell you about the utter wickedness, in which it wallows today. I would love to tell you what is needed to save our children. But the task is too great for this limited platform.
Here is a brief outline of America's fall from greatness to destruction.
The Bible. God's word gave America a foundation and guiding light that made America the greatest country in the history of the world and also gave us the Divine solution to all of our earthly ills, but it has been abandoned.
The Ballot. The ability of citizens to choose their government, their laws, their leadership. But America gave up the power of the Ballot when those who were elected were not held accountable for their abuse of their power and position. The Ballot has become a placebo and an opiate, a drug that killed America. The Ballot became a total joke, being manipulated for a totally godless political platform for the godless, Socialist leaning party today. The Ballot gives power to do good, but the Ballot does not keep the elected from turning on the people. The Ballot has failed.
The Bullet. When the people get tired of the oppression that follows their wasted Ballot, they often resort to the Bullet. While God will sometimes use social upheaval to relieve the people, it is only a band-aid, a quick fix, lasting only as long as there is a turning back to God and His word. If there is no actual return to God and His word, then the Bullets of the oppressor often outlast the Bullets of the oppressed. Eventually, if the society is not built on God and His word, then the Ballot and the Bullet will ultimately fail.
The Body Bags. When the Ballots and Bullets of well-intentioned people are silenced by the Bullets of the wicked, then the Body Bags will begin to stack-up, quelling the human attempt at reform.
The only answer to man's dilemma is to receive and believe God and His word. I hate to say it, but I think that ship has already sailed and our society is in a death spiral.
Our society has favored the worldly answers instead of the Biblical answers and directives. Do not align with the wicked, Christless agenda of the party that has an anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-family, anti-freedom platform. Don't let your quiet acquiescence help them kill the pre-born, mutilate and pervert the children and the youth, overthrow the family, undermine our Constitution, betray us to our enemies. Silent support is cowardly participation. And do not follow a supposed champion into an evil agenda. I am sickened (literally sickened) at the flood of perversity, sinsanity, idiocracy, the raping of our children (including literal raping right before our very eyes), attacks on our faith, the selling of our country.
The only real choice we have (and it has been the only real choice all along) is personal faith in, and a surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord, and a commitment to believe and live-out the word of God, regardless of the cost.
I have not scratched the surface of the surface of the surface of what bothers me today. But as a Social Influencer (since before there was such a thing as a Social Network or Social Media) I was scoffed, denounced, rejected for telling the truth about abortion, the corruption of the Public School, the innumerable sins of the flesh, the betrayal of America, and in the words of Yul Brynner's King Mongkut, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
Now, today, more than forty years later, Social Influencers, some politicians, some media people, some educators, some lawyers, some preachers are finally agreeing with what I cried aloud decades ago. I was rebuffed by friends, acquaintances, as well as by America's leading Christian preachers, leading Government and Political leaders, local pastors and lawyers and educators. Finally, today, waaaay toooo late, some of them are agreeing with some of my warnings. But it is too little too late.
I quote a much more worthy voice, when I say,
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
It is waaaay past time to quit playing Christian. If your relationship with Jesus does not shout loudly and consistantly your commitment to God and His truth, then you are not actually a Christian.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
02/10/26 LOSS BEYOND WORDS
02/10/26 LOSS BEYOND WORDS
I have friends who post that they miss a deceased parent, husband, wife, sibling, or offspring.
I can relate because I often think about loved ones I now miss (mother, father, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and a brother I only knew for a few years). I think about the funny things, the happy things, the special things in their lives. I often turn to Martha and say (in reference to a particular loved one), "(name of loved one) would have liked this," (or "would have said this"). We miss their words, their attitude, their reactions, their presence. We laugh, we tear up, sometimes we cry together, or we cry in private (like right now).
It is nice to have good memories. It is nice to love and miss people.
Believers have the hope and expectation of seeing some of their loved ones again... of spending eternity with them in worship and service to God. Those are really good thoughts. There are other loved ones that we can only hope met the Lord in faith before they passed away. Loved ones leave an empty place in our lives when they are no longer with us. We miss them, but we cannot bring them back.
Sometimes, departed loved ones have not died; they just left us. We remember them, and we smile and laugh at the good times, but we cry because they not only left us, but they also left the One Who gave us life, the One Who gave us love, the One Who gave us laughter. They have been invited back to Biblical living, salvation, faith, family, and future bliss, but they love the husks of this world. They would rather wallow with the swine than sit together in heavenly places with the family of God.
The saying is, "Born once, die twice, born twice, die once." If a person dies in a regenerated condition, he (she) will live forever, but the person who dies in his (her) sins will never come back to God.
In His parable of the prodigal son, Jesus pointed out that the loving father was waiting and watching for the wayward child. Jesus calls the wayward to Himself. Loving families pray and watch the road for the return of the wandering loved one. Love is a wonderful thing. It hopes, it watches, it welcomes home the wayward.
Death is a destroyer, whether it is the second death or spiritual death. Sin robs us of true treasures. Satan makes his disciple a tool of his destruction. Not only are loved ones stolen away, the families of loved ones are also stolen away. The intended lifeline of salvation is broken between the initial rebel it is replaced with a chain of sin and separation. Adam is the prime example, but each person chooses to either be an instrument of God's grace or a one of Satan's useful idiots, acting as Pied Pipers, leading others away from holiness, perfect love, sound doctrine, and eternal life.
RESPONSES TO A QUESTION SOMEONE ASKED (about people embracing sorrow).
I can't relate to this. I don't know that I have ever known anyone who looked forward to being depressed or to mourning.
I have friends who post that they miss a deceased parent, husband, wife, sibling, or offspring.
I can relate because I often think about loved ones I now miss (mother, father, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and a brother I only knew for a few years). I think about the funny things, the happy things, the special things in their lives. I often turn to Martha and say (in reference to a particular loved one), "(name of loved one) would have liked this," (or "would have said this"). We miss their words, their attitude, their reactions, their presence. We laugh, we tear up, sometimes we cry together, or we cry in private (like right now).
It is nice to have good memories. It is nice to love and miss people.
Believers have the hope and expectation of seeing some of their loved ones again... of spending eternity with them in worship and service to God. Those are really good thoughts. There are other loved ones that we can only hope met the Lord in faith before they passed away. Loved ones leave an empty place in our lives when they are no longer with us. We miss them, but we cannot bring them back.
Sometimes, departed loved ones have not died; they just left us. We remember them, and we smile and laugh at the good times, but we cry because they not only left us, but they also left the One Who gave us life, the One Who gave us love, the One Who gave us laughter. They have been invited back to Biblical living, salvation, faith, family, and future bliss, but they love the husks of this world. They would rather wallow with the swine than sit together in heavenly places with the family of God.
The saying is, "Born once, die twice, born twice, die once." If a person dies in a regenerated condition, he (she) will live forever, but the person who dies in his (her) sins will never come back to God.
In His parable of the prodigal son, Jesus pointed out that the loving father was waiting and watching for the wayward child. Jesus calls the wayward to Himself. Loving families pray and watch the road for the return of the wandering loved one. Love is a wonderful thing. It hopes, it watches, it welcomes home the wayward.
Death is a destroyer, whether it is the second death or spiritual death. Sin robs us of true treasures. Satan makes his disciple a tool of his destruction. Not only are loved ones stolen away, the families of loved ones are also stolen away. The intended lifeline of salvation is broken between the initial rebel it is replaced with a chain of sin and separation. Adam is the prime example, but each person chooses to either be an instrument of God's grace or a one of Satan's useful idiots, acting as Pied Pipers, leading others away from holiness, perfect love, sound doctrine, and eternal life.
RESPONSES TO A QUESTION SOMEONE ASKED (about people embracing sorrow).
I can't relate to this. I don't know that I have ever known anyone who looked forward to being depressed or to mourning.
Remembering a loved one and feeling sorrow for the loved one being gone is one thing, but celebrating misery is different. Certainly, as Christians, our view should be focused on life, on thanksgiving, on praise. I realize that there is a "death culture" mentality, and I understand there is hopelessness for those without Jesus. In fact, this is one of the great differences between Christians and others, concerning death and the loss of a loved one, which leads to several other issues. A Biblical understanding of death and salvation provides insight and courage. I am sorry I was not more relevant.
I do know people who never get over the loss of a loved one. It actually takes over their entire life. They have not responded in faith. They have not cast all their care on the Lord. There is hope for them only when they trust the Lord with their loss.
I do know people who never get over the loss of a loved one. It actually takes over their entire life. They have not responded in faith. They have not cast all their care on the Lord. There is hope for them only when they trust the Lord with their loss.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
02/10/26 DECEPTION, THE SIGN OF THE TIMES
02/10/26 DECEPTION, THE SIGN OF THE TIMES
DECEPTION... The most significant sign of the end times.
It is everywhere, in everything, all the time. It is in politics, it is in entertainment, it is in academics, it is in government, it is in economics, it is in news reporting, it is in religion, it is in "science," IT IS IN THE LAODICEAN CHURCH, and it is in the supposed Bible-believing community (preachers, teachers, singers, authors, denominations, and leading doctrinal camps.
I remember when a major part of Western society realized that the Bible, Christianity, salvation, believers, Christian principles, Christian culture, Christian beliefs, and Christian behavior were respected, even by the non-Christian part of the population. Deference was given to prayer, Christian morality, the Holy Bible, the church, and God. This respect was seen in law enforcement, jurisprudence, journalism, popular music, musicians, singers, athletes, entertainers, the movie industry, government practices, education, and social structures.
Through the years, I have watched as disrespect and blasphemy have become the standard rather than the unusual response to Christianity. We have moved from Christian standards being the foundation of our society to it being the whipping boy and target of disdain.
There was a time when the standards of Christian behavior were the standards of public behavior. Even in our fallen world, our sinful society, people understood that there was a line between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and deceit. Not that all people lived by a higher moral standard, but generally society acknowledged the acceptable and shunned the unacceptable. The population at large, and even Hollywood, Broadway, Nashville, Las Vegas, knew that drugging of all kinds (smoking, shooting, sniffing, swigging) and perversion, prurient language, profanity, adultery, lying, stealing, killing, cheating, infidelity, divorce was deviant, subnormal, anti-social; they understood that it was not Christian and was not acceptable in "decent society."
Little by little, society moved further from God, His standards, His commands, His will, until we are approaching a time like the Days of Noah. Now we see people who call themselves Christian scoffing, mocking Divine truth, godly living, public decency, sexual mores, social graces, marital sanctity, and common sense.
We got here because people turned further from God and embraced a sick worldview. People either believe the most perverse, insane ideas ever conceived in the mind of Satan, or they claim to be Christian, while aligning with groups or beliefs that are totally sold out to darkness.
I have much more to say, but I think you get my drift.
God is calling His people to come out from the world, to be delivered from the world, to be set apart from the world. He is calling His people to be holy, pure, and righteous, while Satan's emissaries of destruction are claiming that God's salvation does not save us from sin. You cannot align with Satan's platform and be a Christian.
DECEPTION... The most significant sign of the end times.
It is everywhere, in everything, all the time. It is in politics, it is in entertainment, it is in academics, it is in government, it is in economics, it is in news reporting, it is in religion, it is in "science," IT IS IN THE LAODICEAN CHURCH, and it is in the supposed Bible-believing community (preachers, teachers, singers, authors, denominations, and leading doctrinal camps.
I remember when a major part of Western society realized that the Bible, Christianity, salvation, believers, Christian principles, Christian culture, Christian beliefs, and Christian behavior were respected, even by the non-Christian part of the population. Deference was given to prayer, Christian morality, the Holy Bible, the church, and God. This respect was seen in law enforcement, jurisprudence, journalism, popular music, musicians, singers, athletes, entertainers, the movie industry, government practices, education, and social structures.
Through the years, I have watched as disrespect and blasphemy have become the standard rather than the unusual response to Christianity. We have moved from Christian standards being the foundation of our society to it being the whipping boy and target of disdain.
There was a time when the standards of Christian behavior were the standards of public behavior. Even in our fallen world, our sinful society, people understood that there was a line between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and deceit. Not that all people lived by a higher moral standard, but generally society acknowledged the acceptable and shunned the unacceptable. The population at large, and even Hollywood, Broadway, Nashville, Las Vegas, knew that drugging of all kinds (smoking, shooting, sniffing, swigging) and perversion, prurient language, profanity, adultery, lying, stealing, killing, cheating, infidelity, divorce was deviant, subnormal, anti-social; they understood that it was not Christian and was not acceptable in "decent society."
Little by little, society moved further from God, His standards, His commands, His will, until we are approaching a time like the Days of Noah. Now we see people who call themselves Christian scoffing, mocking Divine truth, godly living, public decency, sexual mores, social graces, marital sanctity, and common sense.
We got here because people turned further from God and embraced a sick worldview. People either believe the most perverse, insane ideas ever conceived in the mind of Satan, or they claim to be Christian, while aligning with groups or beliefs that are totally sold out to darkness.
I have much more to say, but I think you get my drift.
God is calling His people to come out from the world, to be delivered from the world, to be set apart from the world. He is calling His people to be holy, pure, and righteous, while Satan's emissaries of destruction are claiming that God's salvation does not save us from sin. You cannot align with Satan's platform and be a Christian.
02/09/26 LOOKING AT THE WORD DESIRE
02/09/26 LOOKING AT THE WORD, "DESIRE"
"DESIRE" CATEGORIZED
RULE OVER EVIL DESIRE
Genesis 4:7
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth (crouches) at the door. And unto thee shall be his (it's or sins's) desire, and thou shalt rule over him (it or sin).
REJECT EVIL DESIRE
Deuteronomy 5:21
21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Deuteronomy 7:25
25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.
Proverbs 23:6
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
Proverbs 24:1
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
* POSITIVE DESIRE
LOFTY DESIRE
Psalms 19:10
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalms 27:4
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalms 34:11-18
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalms 37:4
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalms 73:25
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Proverbs 21:20
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
1 Peter 1:12
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
A WORTHY DESIRE
Luke 7:36
36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
GOD BASED DESIRE
Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
DESIRE FOR GOD
Isaiah 26:8
8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isaiah 26:9
9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
THE DESIRE OF NATIONS
John 12:21
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
DESIRE TO BE WITH GOD
Philippians 1:23
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
WELL PLACED DESIRE
Proverbs 10:24
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
Proverbs 11:23
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
Proverbs 12:12
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit
Proverbs 13:4
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 13:19
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
Proverbs 18:1
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Proverbs 19:22
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
PERSISTENT WELL-PLACED DESIRE
Proverbs 13:12
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
DESIRE WISDOM
Proverbs 3:13-18
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Proverbs 8:11
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
DESIRE TO HEAR GOD'S WORD
Acts 13:7
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
DESIRING SPRITUAL NOURISHMENT
1 Peter 2:2
1 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
DESIRING GOD'S WORK IN YOUR LIFE
2 Corinthians 7:11
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
DESIRING SPIRITUAL HELP
Acts 8:31
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND GRACE
1 Corinthians 14:1
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
DESIRING TO PLEASE GOD
2 Corinthians 8:6
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
DESIRING FRUIT, NOT FINANCES
Philippians 4:17
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
DESIRE FOR OTHERS TO BE SAVED
Romans 10:1
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
DESIRING GOD'S BEST FOR OTHERS
Colossians 1:9
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
DESIRE TO SHARE GOD'S WORD
Romans 15:23
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
DESIRE FOR FELLOWSHIP
1 Thessalonians 2:17
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
DESIRING A GOOD WORK
1 Timothy 3:1
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
DESIRING A HEAVENLY HOME
Hebrews 11:16
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
GOD KNOWS OUR DESIRES
Psalms 38:9
9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
GOD GRANTS OUR DESIRES
Psalms 21:1-4
1 ... The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
GOD GRANTS DESIRE
Psalms 145:16
16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Psalms 145:19
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
GOD'S DESIRE
Psalms 40:6
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Hosea 6:6
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
GOD'S DESIRE FOR HIS PEOPLE
Song of Solomon 7:10
10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.
JESUS DESIRED FELLOWSHIP
Luke 22:15
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
GOD'S DESIRED HABITATION
Psalms 68:16
16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.
Psalms 132:13
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
Psalms 132:13-14
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
"DESIRE" CATEGORIZED
(edited for grammar and format)
An update of a post I made on 11/02/22, entitled "DESIRE" CATEGORIZED.
I searched all the verses in the KJV that included the word DESIRE and then categorized them into several groups. This is not a study in original languages (which I often do), but rather a listing of verses and passages that actually have a direct impact on our practical Christian lives.
The categories include: Evil Desire, Empty Desire, Self Oriented Desire, Misplaced Desire, Misspent Desire, Desiring Signs, Examine Your Desires, Mundane Desires Can Lead to Destruction, Rule Over Evil Desires, Reject Evil Desires, Lofty Desire, Worthy Desire, God Based Desires, Desire For God, Christ The Desire Of Nations, Desire To Be With God, Well Placed Desire, Desire Wisdom, Desire To Hear God's Word, Desiring Spiritual Nourishment, Desiring To Do God's Work, Desiring Spiritual Help, Desiring Spiritual Gifts And Grace, Desiring To Please God, Desiring Fruit Not Finances, Desiring Others To Be Saved, Desiring God's Best For Others, Desiring To Share God's Word, Desiring Fellowship, Desiring To Do A Good Work, Desiring A Heavenly Home, God Knows Our Desires, God Grants Our Desires, God's Desire, Jesus Desired Fellowship, God's Desired Habitation.
This document is meant to be a quick view of helpful verses. It is not an in-depth study, but I often find that God's word says what I need to hear, in the way I need to hear it.
Though this is not intended to be an academic study, the truths presented are appropriate to the categories and are consistent with the message of salvation. The verses (from the Old and New Testament) apply to daily Christian living. Though they are presented separately from their contexts, they are not contradictory to their contexts, but rather they are in agreement with the fundamental message of the entire Bible, from Genesis through Revelation.
I hope you find this list to be encouraging, enlightening and edifying.
* NEGATIVE DESIRE
EVIL DESIRE
Genesis 3:6
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Psalms 10:3-11
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
Proverbs 21:10
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Proverbs 21:25
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Mark 15:6
6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
Mark 15:8
8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
Galatians 4:9
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
James 4:2
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
EMPTY DESIRE
Ecclesiastes 2:10
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
DESIRE FOR EARTHLY HONOR
Luke 20:46
46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
SATAN DESIRES TO DESTROY
Luke 22:31
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you
as wheat:
SELF-ORIENTED DESIRES
Mark 10:35
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
MISPLACED DESIRE
1 Samuel 12:13
13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
An update of a post I made on 11/02/22, entitled "DESIRE" CATEGORIZED.
I searched all the verses in the KJV that included the word DESIRE and then categorized them into several groups. This is not a study in original languages (which I often do), but rather a listing of verses and passages that actually have a direct impact on our practical Christian lives.
The categories include: Evil Desire, Empty Desire, Self Oriented Desire, Misplaced Desire, Misspent Desire, Desiring Signs, Examine Your Desires, Mundane Desires Can Lead to Destruction, Rule Over Evil Desires, Reject Evil Desires, Lofty Desire, Worthy Desire, God Based Desires, Desire For God, Christ The Desire Of Nations, Desire To Be With God, Well Placed Desire, Desire Wisdom, Desire To Hear God's Word, Desiring Spiritual Nourishment, Desiring To Do God's Work, Desiring Spiritual Help, Desiring Spiritual Gifts And Grace, Desiring To Please God, Desiring Fruit Not Finances, Desiring Others To Be Saved, Desiring God's Best For Others, Desiring To Share God's Word, Desiring Fellowship, Desiring To Do A Good Work, Desiring A Heavenly Home, God Knows Our Desires, God Grants Our Desires, God's Desire, Jesus Desired Fellowship, God's Desired Habitation.
This document is meant to be a quick view of helpful verses. It is not an in-depth study, but I often find that God's word says what I need to hear, in the way I need to hear it.
Though this is not intended to be an academic study, the truths presented are appropriate to the categories and are consistent with the message of salvation. The verses (from the Old and New Testament) apply to daily Christian living. Though they are presented separately from their contexts, they are not contradictory to their contexts, but rather they are in agreement with the fundamental message of the entire Bible, from Genesis through Revelation.
I hope you find this list to be encouraging, enlightening and edifying.
* NEGATIVE DESIRE
EVIL DESIRE
Genesis 3:6
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Psalms 10:3-11
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
Proverbs 21:10
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Proverbs 21:25
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Mark 15:6
6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
Mark 15:8
8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
Galatians 4:9
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
James 4:2
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
EMPTY DESIRE
Ecclesiastes 2:10
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
DESIRE FOR EARTHLY HONOR
Luke 20:46
46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
SATAN DESIRES TO DESTROY
Luke 22:31
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you
as wheat:
SELF-ORIENTED DESIRES
Mark 10:35
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
MISPLACED DESIRE
1 Samuel 12:13
13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
Luke 23:25
25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Acts 3:14
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
MISSPENT DESIRE
Ecclesiastes 6:2
2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Ecclesiastes 6:9
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
FORMER DESIRES OF THE FLESH
Ephesians 2:3
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
DESIRING SIGNS
Matthew 16:1
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
EXAMINE YOUR DESIRES
Mark 9:35
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
MUNDANE DESIRES CAN LEAD TO DISTRUCTION
Psalms 78:24-32
24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
25 Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
30 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
DESIRE OF THE WICKED DOOMED
Psalms 112:10
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
OPPOSE THE DESIRES OF THE WICKED
Psalms 140:8
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Acts 3:14
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
MISSPENT DESIRE
Ecclesiastes 6:2
2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Ecclesiastes 6:9
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
FORMER DESIRES OF THE FLESH
Ephesians 2:3
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
DESIRING SIGNS
Matthew 16:1
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
EXAMINE YOUR DESIRES
Mark 9:35
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
MUNDANE DESIRES CAN LEAD TO DISTRUCTION
Psalms 78:24-32
24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
25 Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
30 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
DESIRE OF THE WICKED DOOMED
Psalms 112:10
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
OPPOSE THE DESIRES OF THE WICKED
Psalms 140:8
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
RULE OVER EVIL DESIRE
Genesis 4:7
7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth (crouches) at the door. And unto thee shall be his (it's or sins's) desire, and thou shalt rule over him (it or sin).
REJECT EVIL DESIRE
Deuteronomy 5:21
21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Deuteronomy 7:25
25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.
Proverbs 23:6
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
Proverbs 24:1
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
* POSITIVE DESIRE
LOFTY DESIRE
Psalms 19:10
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalms 27:4
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalms 34:11-18
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalms 37:4
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalms 73:25
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Proverbs 21:20
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
1 Peter 1:12
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
A WORTHY DESIRE
Luke 7:36
36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
GOD BASED DESIRE
Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
DESIRE FOR GOD
Isaiah 26:8
8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isaiah 26:9
9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
THE DESIRE OF NATIONS
John 12:21
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
DESIRE TO BE WITH GOD
Philippians 1:23
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
WELL PLACED DESIRE
Proverbs 10:24
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
Proverbs 11:23
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
Proverbs 12:12
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit
Proverbs 13:4
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Proverbs 13:19
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
Proverbs 18:1
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Proverbs 19:22
22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
PERSISTENT WELL-PLACED DESIRE
Proverbs 13:12
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
DESIRE WISDOM
Proverbs 3:13-18
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Proverbs 8:11
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
DESIRE TO HEAR GOD'S WORD
Acts 13:7
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
DESIRING SPRITUAL NOURISHMENT
1 Peter 2:2
1 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
DESIRING GOD'S WORK IN YOUR LIFE
2 Corinthians 7:11
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
DESIRING SPIRITUAL HELP
Acts 8:31
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND GRACE
1 Corinthians 14:1
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
DESIRING TO PLEASE GOD
2 Corinthians 8:6
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
DESIRING FRUIT, NOT FINANCES
Philippians 4:17
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
DESIRE FOR OTHERS TO BE SAVED
Romans 10:1
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
DESIRING GOD'S BEST FOR OTHERS
Colossians 1:9
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
DESIRE TO SHARE GOD'S WORD
Romans 15:23
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
DESIRE FOR FELLOWSHIP
1 Thessalonians 2:17
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
DESIRING A GOOD WORK
1 Timothy 3:1
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
DESIRING A HEAVENLY HOME
Hebrews 11:16
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
GOD KNOWS OUR DESIRES
Psalms 38:9
9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
GOD GRANTS OUR DESIRES
Psalms 21:1-4
1 ... The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
GOD GRANTS DESIRE
Psalms 145:16
16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Psalms 145:19
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
GOD'S DESIRE
Psalms 40:6
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Hosea 6:6
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
GOD'S DESIRE FOR HIS PEOPLE
Song of Solomon 7:10
10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.
JESUS DESIRED FELLOWSHIP
Luke 22:15
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
GOD'S DESIRED HABITATION
Psalms 68:16
16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.
Psalms 132:13
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
Psalms 132:13-14
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
02/09/26 DON'T MISS THE POINT
02/09/26 DON'T MISS THE POINT
Okay, or OK (depending on how formal you want to be), I try to write in a grammatically correct fashion (but for various reasons, which [or that] you may choose to call excuses), I usually need to edit my writings (and sometimes I actually do). I want my writings, which [or that] my writing aid tells me are incorrect, to be correct, but sometimes the so-called corrections are incorrect.
But now, to my point, I have tried to use "which" and "that" correctly, but it has become too much of a hassle. Even the authorities on grammatical usage and technical definitions (restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses) disagree.
PLUS, THE FACT that some people will NEVER GET my point because they are more focused on the relatively trivial than they are on the essential point I may be addressing.
But, back to WHICH and THAT. I will probably only use 'that" in the future and be finished (not to be confused with, Finnished) with a useless "which hunt."
This does not mean I won't make mistakes, or have typographical errors, or choose to reject corrections THAT AI writing tools may errantly and arrogantly suggest.
I am thankful for the help available, but sometimes the "authorities" don't know what they are talking about. I often find errors in the approved corrections. And, NO, I am not going to take time to prove my case. And YES, I know I make mistakes, and I am not satisfied with those errors.
If I am wrong grammatically, please be understanding and magnanimous by focusing on what I am trying to say. If you think I am wrong grammatically, move on. Go to your box of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, which(es) and that(s) and fix my post in your own mind. I don't have time to re-educate the masses of misled "experts."
The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins, but some people don't have enough love to get past a grammatical foopah (or faux pas, for those who speak Chinese). Oops, another faux pas.
Okay, or OK (depending on how formal you want to be), I try to write in a grammatically correct fashion (but for various reasons, which [or that] you may choose to call excuses), I usually need to edit my writings (and sometimes I actually do). I want my writings, which [or that] my writing aid tells me are incorrect, to be correct, but sometimes the so-called corrections are incorrect.
But now, to my point, I have tried to use "which" and "that" correctly, but it has become too much of a hassle. Even the authorities on grammatical usage and technical definitions (restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses) disagree.
PLUS, THE FACT that some people will NEVER GET my point because they are more focused on the relatively trivial than they are on the essential point I may be addressing.
But, back to WHICH and THAT. I will probably only use 'that" in the future and be finished (not to be confused with, Finnished) with a useless "which hunt."
This does not mean I won't make mistakes, or have typographical errors, or choose to reject corrections THAT AI writing tools may errantly and arrogantly suggest.
I am thankful for the help available, but sometimes the "authorities" don't know what they are talking about. I often find errors in the approved corrections. And, NO, I am not going to take time to prove my case. And YES, I know I make mistakes, and I am not satisfied with those errors.
If I am wrong grammatically, please be understanding and magnanimous by focusing on what I am trying to say. If you think I am wrong grammatically, move on. Go to your box of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, which(es) and that(s) and fix my post in your own mind. I don't have time to re-educate the masses of misled "experts."
The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins, but some people don't have enough love to get past a grammatical foopah (or faux pas, for those who speak Chinese). Oops, another faux pas.
02/07/26 KNOW THE REAL ENEMY
02/07/26 KNOW THE REAL ENEMY
I know my first statement (and probably the rest of this post as well) will fall on some deaf ears or dead brain cells.
(first statement)
American slavery (along with African slavery, European slavery, Asian slavery, and racial oppression was and is wrong. (Trust me, the mindless, the uneducated, the haters of truth will not remember this statement if they read my next statements.
(the rest of this post)
We are on the verge of the first American Civil War. The supposed Civil War of the 1860s was not a Civil War.
There is an insurrection in America, but it was not January 6, 2021.
To liken the events of today's actual acts of insurrection to the War Between the States is absurd and contradicts the facts of history, demographics, economics, the Constitution, and the changes to the Constitution after the War of Northern Aggression.
For those who have forgotten my initial statement, let me remind you, American slavery (initially allowed in the U.S. Constitution, in the North and in the South) was a travesty, and it needed to be ended... AND IT WAS.
Though slavery became a main focus during the 1860s, it was not the legal, political, constitutional, economic, or moral reason for the War Between the States. Southern States did not invade or attack Northern States to force any economic, cultural, or regional action on any other State, unlike the burning and killing that travels from State to State today. There was no attempt to turn any other State into a Communist dictatorship or attempt to overthrow local laws or oppress other belief systems.
What took place in the pre-war South was nothing like the lawless, unconstitutional attack on society and legitimate government that is taking place today.
Just in case you don't remember, I have stated that American slavery was wrong, and I am glad that it is gone. But it was not unconstitutional, it was not illegal. In fact, when Lincoln made the Emancipation Proclamation, it was not intended to end slavery or set the slaves free. It was specifically aimed at Southern slavery to justify the invasion of Northern troops into the South. Don't shake your head at me. Read the Proclamation. Read the facts from the contemporary writings of that day. Read the writings of the general public in the South. Only 1.2% of the southern population was involved with slavery. Just like any other evil, it was driven by a wicked desire for wealth. The love of money is the root of all evil.
Present-day revisionist history, spouted by highly schooled, but ignorant people (Educators, Generals, Politicians, Media), who have been misled by the propaganda of twisted history, uses the false representation of Southern history, Southern culture, Southern morality, Southern intelligence as a supposed foundation for the coming, but actual, Civil War in America.
Here is what we need to realize. This country is being (or has been) taken over by enemies of freedom, faith, family, and finances. We have been invaded, sold out, overthrown by anti-American forces, beliefs, morals, religion, standards, relationships, and social mores. And it is being done by presenting Southerners (and their descendants) of the 1860s in a false image. Instead of rightly naming the enemy religion, the enemy nations, the enemy politics, the enemy values of the actual enemies we face, we are being turned against one another, North and South, White and Black, Male and Female, "Christian" and non-believers.
If I thought that God wanted me to stop this overthrow, I wouldn't be sitting back, letting the State, organizations, or evil political platforms abuse and paganize and mutilate the children of America.
If I believed that my God-given responsibility was to preserve America (rather than to reach and evangelize the unsaved in America), then I would not sit around fussing, fuming, and complaining. I would put feet to my beliefs.
I am totally opposed to the sick, Sinsanity, Idiocracy, filthy religions, including Statism, Socialism, Communism, Wokism, and a score of other perversionisms. However, I am committed to the Biblical call to follow Jesus, and the New Testament.
Followers of Christ are called to lay down their lives for Christ and other people. We are not called to shed blood. But if I claimed to believe in taking up the sword of steel, I would not be sitting around shooting off my mouth.
Standing for God and for good is costly and it will not win the temporal conflict. But it is the only real solution to the sin problem. Jesus sent His disciples to make disciples, not to spill blood.
Probably, we, as a nation and as a world, are too far gone to turn around. I think that the tipping point has already been passed. But since I am not a prophet, I could be wrong, and I hope I am wrong. But when the ship reaches the point of no return, it cannot be righted, baled, or saved. It is then time to put on the life jackets and man the lifeboats.
The only hope for this sinking ship is for people to turn back to Jesus.
And the only way people will abandon this lost ship of fools is to call on Jesus.
And the only way people will call on Jesus is when men and women who trust only in Him "cry aloud and spare not."
There is already a war. But only one side is taking the Sword of the Spirit (the word of God) and rushing into the fray, regardless of the cost. "Stand up o, men of God."
And let me remind you. Slavery was not ended by the supposedly sympathetic "anti-slavery" Northerners. The ending of the American slave system was brought about by Christian abolitionists on both sides of the Atlantic, in the North and the South, before and during the war, wielding the Sword of the Spirit.
None of human ills came about because of Christ followers.
All of human ills are confronted by Christ followers.
I know my first statement (and probably the rest of this post as well) will fall on some deaf ears or dead brain cells.
(first statement)
American slavery (along with African slavery, European slavery, Asian slavery, and racial oppression was and is wrong. (Trust me, the mindless, the uneducated, the haters of truth will not remember this statement if they read my next statements.
(the rest of this post)
We are on the verge of the first American Civil War. The supposed Civil War of the 1860s was not a Civil War.
There is an insurrection in America, but it was not January 6, 2021.
To liken the events of today's actual acts of insurrection to the War Between the States is absurd and contradicts the facts of history, demographics, economics, the Constitution, and the changes to the Constitution after the War of Northern Aggression.
For those who have forgotten my initial statement, let me remind you, American slavery (initially allowed in the U.S. Constitution, in the North and in the South) was a travesty, and it needed to be ended... AND IT WAS.
Though slavery became a main focus during the 1860s, it was not the legal, political, constitutional, economic, or moral reason for the War Between the States. Southern States did not invade or attack Northern States to force any economic, cultural, or regional action on any other State, unlike the burning and killing that travels from State to State today. There was no attempt to turn any other State into a Communist dictatorship or attempt to overthrow local laws or oppress other belief systems.
What took place in the pre-war South was nothing like the lawless, unconstitutional attack on society and legitimate government that is taking place today.
Just in case you don't remember, I have stated that American slavery was wrong, and I am glad that it is gone. But it was not unconstitutional, it was not illegal. In fact, when Lincoln made the Emancipation Proclamation, it was not intended to end slavery or set the slaves free. It was specifically aimed at Southern slavery to justify the invasion of Northern troops into the South. Don't shake your head at me. Read the Proclamation. Read the facts from the contemporary writings of that day. Read the writings of the general public in the South. Only 1.2% of the southern population was involved with slavery. Just like any other evil, it was driven by a wicked desire for wealth. The love of money is the root of all evil.
Present-day revisionist history, spouted by highly schooled, but ignorant people (Educators, Generals, Politicians, Media), who have been misled by the propaganda of twisted history, uses the false representation of Southern history, Southern culture, Southern morality, Southern intelligence as a supposed foundation for the coming, but actual, Civil War in America.
Here is what we need to realize. This country is being (or has been) taken over by enemies of freedom, faith, family, and finances. We have been invaded, sold out, overthrown by anti-American forces, beliefs, morals, religion, standards, relationships, and social mores. And it is being done by presenting Southerners (and their descendants) of the 1860s in a false image. Instead of rightly naming the enemy religion, the enemy nations, the enemy politics, the enemy values of the actual enemies we face, we are being turned against one another, North and South, White and Black, Male and Female, "Christian" and non-believers.
If I thought that God wanted me to stop this overthrow, I wouldn't be sitting back, letting the State, organizations, or evil political platforms abuse and paganize and mutilate the children of America.
If I believed that my God-given responsibility was to preserve America (rather than to reach and evangelize the unsaved in America), then I would not sit around fussing, fuming, and complaining. I would put feet to my beliefs.
I am totally opposed to the sick, Sinsanity, Idiocracy, filthy religions, including Statism, Socialism, Communism, Wokism, and a score of other perversionisms. However, I am committed to the Biblical call to follow Jesus, and the New Testament.
Followers of Christ are called to lay down their lives for Christ and other people. We are not called to shed blood. But if I claimed to believe in taking up the sword of steel, I would not be sitting around shooting off my mouth.
Standing for God and for good is costly and it will not win the temporal conflict. But it is the only real solution to the sin problem. Jesus sent His disciples to make disciples, not to spill blood.
Probably, we, as a nation and as a world, are too far gone to turn around. I think that the tipping point has already been passed. But since I am not a prophet, I could be wrong, and I hope I am wrong. But when the ship reaches the point of no return, it cannot be righted, baled, or saved. It is then time to put on the life jackets and man the lifeboats.
The only hope for this sinking ship is for people to turn back to Jesus.
And the only way people will abandon this lost ship of fools is to call on Jesus.
And the only way people will call on Jesus is when men and women who trust only in Him "cry aloud and spare not."
There is already a war. But only one side is taking the Sword of the Spirit (the word of God) and rushing into the fray, regardless of the cost. "Stand up o, men of God."
And let me remind you. Slavery was not ended by the supposedly sympathetic "anti-slavery" Northerners. The ending of the American slave system was brought about by Christian abolitionists on both sides of the Atlantic, in the North and the South, before and during the war, wielding the Sword of the Spirit.
None of human ills came about because of Christ followers.
All of human ills are confronted by Christ followers.
02/07/26 BEWARE THE FILTERS
02/07/26 BEWARE THE FILTERS
Beware the filters you have in your life that keep you from receiving God's message clearly. There are many different kinds of filters, including culture, education, family (or community) worldviews, religious (or Biblical or theological) training, occupational (or military) training, social clubs (fraternities, sororities, organizations, clubs), and political (or philosophical mindsets).
#1 Don't let any worldview or any worldly system or association filter your understanding of God's word.
Always filter every worldview through sound Biblical truth.
Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Throw off that which is obviously not Scriptural, then submit your accumulated baggage (intellectual, social, business, political, religious, theological) to the authority of God's word. Cast off all sin and search your entire life and heart for the "little foxes," which will destroy your spiritual life, and spare not.
We should, and we need to, and we must make changes when we come to Christ (this is not earned salvation, but it is effectual salvation), and we need to keep and continue in a submissive relationship with God after we come to Christ.
#2 Don't expect to get new revelation or special inspiration, or think that you are a chosen channel of truth through which God gives prophecy.
Don't look for or expect or wait for a "special revelation," or "prophecy," or "a word from the Lord." He has already given you His revelation and enlightenment, by His Spirit, through His word. If we don't love and trust God enough to know and understand and follow His word, then our disobedience will make us subject to the leading of spirits, which are not of God.
Getting special leading from God, to do that which He has already given in His word, is not a sign of maturity or spiritual gifting; it is a sign of immaturity, spiritual darkness, disobedience, ignorance and spiritual pride.
As a very shallow Christian, untrained in God's word, I sought to do God's will. But since I was ignorant of God's word I would "Put a fleece before the Lord." It did not take me long to realize that my need for a fleece was a sign of my laziness and shallowness concerning God's word, and my resistance to His will. Quit asking God for signs; He has already given you His word and His Spirit. His Spirit never disagrees with His word and His Spirit does not give you a new revelation. His Spirit gives you enlightenment concerning His word and His will. Yes, God leads, God speaks, God enables, but always in accord with His revelation and your enlightenment. As you grow in grace and knowledge, you will put away childish things. Don't expect God to "baby you." Grow up and be a man.
Whatever leading God gives to you is not to be equated with the gift of prophecy given to New Testament writers and Apostles. God's leading you is not the same as God giving revelation to the New Testament prophets and apostles. God will not make the shallow, unlearned believer into a voice of authority to people who are sitting in darkness.
Don't love the gift.
Love the Giver.
Never let anything filter Bible truth.
Always filter everything through Bible truth.
Of course, this means you need to know Bible truth, not just Bible verses or man-made theological systems.
You need to know the Bible.
You need to understand the Bible.
You need to believe the Bible.
You need to trust the Bible.
You need to live by the Bible. You need to obey the Bible.
This means...
You need to read the Bible.
You need to study the Bible.
Beware the filters you have in your life that keep you from receiving God's message clearly. There are many different kinds of filters, including culture, education, family (or community) worldviews, religious (or Biblical or theological) training, occupational (or military) training, social clubs (fraternities, sororities, organizations, clubs), and political (or philosophical mindsets).
#1 Don't let any worldview or any worldly system or association filter your understanding of God's word.
Always filter every worldview through sound Biblical truth.
Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Throw off that which is obviously not Scriptural, then submit your accumulated baggage (intellectual, social, business, political, religious, theological) to the authority of God's word. Cast off all sin and search your entire life and heart for the "little foxes," which will destroy your spiritual life, and spare not.
We should, and we need to, and we must make changes when we come to Christ (this is not earned salvation, but it is effectual salvation), and we need to keep and continue in a submissive relationship with God after we come to Christ.
#2 Don't expect to get new revelation or special inspiration, or think that you are a chosen channel of truth through which God gives prophecy.
Don't look for or expect or wait for a "special revelation," or "prophecy," or "a word from the Lord." He has already given you His revelation and enlightenment, by His Spirit, through His word. If we don't love and trust God enough to know and understand and follow His word, then our disobedience will make us subject to the leading of spirits, which are not of God.
Getting special leading from God, to do that which He has already given in His word, is not a sign of maturity or spiritual gifting; it is a sign of immaturity, spiritual darkness, disobedience, ignorance and spiritual pride.
As a very shallow Christian, untrained in God's word, I sought to do God's will. But since I was ignorant of God's word I would "Put a fleece before the Lord." It did not take me long to realize that my need for a fleece was a sign of my laziness and shallowness concerning God's word, and my resistance to His will. Quit asking God for signs; He has already given you His word and His Spirit. His Spirit never disagrees with His word and His Spirit does not give you a new revelation. His Spirit gives you enlightenment concerning His word and His will. Yes, God leads, God speaks, God enables, but always in accord with His revelation and your enlightenment. As you grow in grace and knowledge, you will put away childish things. Don't expect God to "baby you." Grow up and be a man.
Whatever leading God gives to you is not to be equated with the gift of prophecy given to New Testament writers and Apostles. God's leading you is not the same as God giving revelation to the New Testament prophets and apostles. God will not make the shallow, unlearned believer into a voice of authority to people who are sitting in darkness.
Don't love the gift.
Love the Giver.
Never let anything filter Bible truth.
Always filter everything through Bible truth.
Of course, this means you need to know Bible truth, not just Bible verses or man-made theological systems.
You need to know the Bible.
You need to understand the Bible.
You need to believe the Bible.
You need to trust the Bible.
You need to live by the Bible. You need to obey the Bible.
This means...
You need to read the Bible.
You need to study the Bible.
02/05/26 TIME TRAVELING WITH PHOTOS
02/05/26 TIME TRAVELING WITH PHOTOS
Time traveling with photos.
This was during my short time in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of L.A. in 1955 (I was 8 years old). I actually attended services alone, unless I had a part in the service, then my parents might attend. During those early years, I attended whatever church was convenient for Daddy to drop me off. I attended Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist churches. I did not learn much from those early years. Even when we were settled back in North Carolina, I did not learn much because very little Bible preaching and teaching was taking place under the Liberal pastors in the Methodist church I attended. Eventually, I had a Bible preacher who introduced me to JWC Bible College. This gave me the first solid Bible teaching I really ever had.
My "army days." Notice that I had enlisted a neighborhood "comrade in arms" to come to church with me (along with some of his siblings and other neighborhood children). We made up a good portion of the youth choir.
Though my Bible training and doctrinal understanding were very limited, I did know that Jesus would forgive and that He would change our lives if we called on Him. I came to know Christ as Lord and Savior and knew that everyone else needed to become Christians.
This was during my short time in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of L.A. in 1955 (I was 8 years old). I actually attended services alone, unless I had a part in the service, then my parents might attend. During those early years, I attended whatever church was convenient for Daddy to drop me off. I attended Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist churches. I did not learn much from those early years. Even when we were settled back in North Carolina, I did not learn much because very little Bible preaching and teaching was taking place under the Liberal pastors in the Methodist church I attended. Eventually, I had a Bible preacher who introduced me to JWC Bible College. This gave me the first solid Bible teaching I really ever had.
My "army days." Notice that I had enlisted a neighborhood "comrade in arms" to come to church with me (along with some of his siblings and other neighborhood children). We made up a good portion of the youth choir.
Though my Bible training and doctrinal understanding were very limited, I did know that Jesus would forgive and that He would change our lives if we called on Him. I came to know Christ as Lord and Savior and knew that everyone else needed to become Christians.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
02/04/26 LIVING BY FAITH IS VICTORIOUS LIVING
02/04/26 LIVING BY FAITH IS VICTORIOUS LIVING
I unashamedly believe the Bible and accept the truth that God saves His people (those who trust Him fully for salvation) from all sin (action and attitude), in this present evil world, and He gives us grace to walk in His light and to resist all temptation and to keep His commandments and to do that which is pleasing in His sight.
I know that He transforms believers from sinners to saints (holy ones), and that He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and that He gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness, and that He enables all believers to resist every temptation, and that He cleanses believers from all sin, and that He causes His followers to always triumph in Christ, and that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His will, and it is the Father's good pleasure to give His children the kingdom, and to make His children to be more than conquerors. God wants the best for His children, but His children live in a wicked world. God's grace is greater than all our sin, but God does not force His redemptive will on anyone, any more than He forces reprobation on anyone. We live in a world of wickedness, where we are tested and tried. God would rather draw us to Himself through His goodness, but He will also use our trials to drive us to Him in faith. Still, it is our choice.
I understand that the Old Testament and the New Testament are two parts of the revelation of God and His plan of salvation, for the Old Testament Jew and the New Testament believer in Christ. I understand that Christians live under the same moral code of the unchanging God. I understand that we are not of this world, but we live in this world, and we need God's wisdom, grace, and power to live godly in this present evil world.
I know that there are directives and promises which are people and time specific, but I also know that there are principles of God's nature, will, provision and enablement which transcend time and nations.
I am not David of the Old Testament, but I serve the same God as David of the Old Testament. The Church is not the Nation of Israel, but we are God's spiritual kingdom living in an earthly environment.
The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. Though our specific circumstances are different, His nature is the same, His faithfulness is the same, His moral standards are the same. The promises sometimes apply to specific people or situations, but the unchanging principles are applicable to us today.
It takes knowledge and wisdom to understand God's call and provision for us individually. Don't discount His leading and His provision just because you don't live in the Old Testament. God's promises to Israel are not transferable to the Church, but neither are all of God's promises and provisions limited to Israel of the Old Testament. We find this principle addressed in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.
The God of the Old Testament is just as active and present today as He was in the day of Adam, the day of Noah, the day of Moses, the day of Isaiah. We are not Adam or any other character from either the Old Testament or the New Testament, but God is as faithful today as He has ever been. We just need to know His word and His Spirit. If we have a solid understanding of the principles of God, we will understand what God has for us and what God wants from us.
I don't have to split the Red Sea or the Jordan River. I don't have to defeat Goliath; I don't have to walk on water or feed the thousands from a small lunch. However, I face issues that are just as real and just as challenging as those situations were. For those who follow fully by faith, He will never leave nor forsake them. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
We face our own giants, our own temptations, our own obstacles, but we don't face them alone. I know the basic meaning of Philippians 4:13, but I also know the broader principle. When God's word says that I can do all things through Christ, it means I can do all that Christ calls me to do, if I act in faith.
There are promises and principles in the Old Testament that are applicable and livable in the Christian life. Salvation is not simply something that was done for us, it is something that God does in us. If you are not overcoming your obstacles, defeating your enemies, claiming your mountains, obtaining your victories, then you are not living in the Spirit; you are not living by the word. You have a dead formalism rather than a living relationship, you have a form of godliness, but you are denying the power thereof, you have a head filled with religion, but a heart void of God.
Some people are filled with wildfire. Some people are without any fire. What everyone needs is Divine fire, Holy Spirit fire, purifying, enlightening, and empowering us in a life of victory.
I unashamedly believe the Bible and accept the truth that God saves His people (those who trust Him fully for salvation) from all sin (action and attitude), in this present evil world, and He gives us grace to walk in His light and to resist all temptation and to keep His commandments and to do that which is pleasing in His sight.
I know that He transforms believers from sinners to saints (holy ones), and that He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and that He gives us everything that pertains to life and godliness, and that He enables all believers to resist every temptation, and that He cleanses believers from all sin, and that He causes His followers to always triumph in Christ, and that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His will, and it is the Father's good pleasure to give His children the kingdom, and to make His children to be more than conquerors. God wants the best for His children, but His children live in a wicked world. God's grace is greater than all our sin, but God does not force His redemptive will on anyone, any more than He forces reprobation on anyone. We live in a world of wickedness, where we are tested and tried. God would rather draw us to Himself through His goodness, but He will also use our trials to drive us to Him in faith. Still, it is our choice.
I understand that the Old Testament and the New Testament are two parts of the revelation of God and His plan of salvation, for the Old Testament Jew and the New Testament believer in Christ. I understand that Christians live under the same moral code of the unchanging God. I understand that we are not of this world, but we live in this world, and we need God's wisdom, grace, and power to live godly in this present evil world.
I know that there are directives and promises which are people and time specific, but I also know that there are principles of God's nature, will, provision and enablement which transcend time and nations.
I am not David of the Old Testament, but I serve the same God as David of the Old Testament. The Church is not the Nation of Israel, but we are God's spiritual kingdom living in an earthly environment.
The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. Though our specific circumstances are different, His nature is the same, His faithfulness is the same, His moral standards are the same. The promises sometimes apply to specific people or situations, but the unchanging principles are applicable to us today.
It takes knowledge and wisdom to understand God's call and provision for us individually. Don't discount His leading and His provision just because you don't live in the Old Testament. God's promises to Israel are not transferable to the Church, but neither are all of God's promises and provisions limited to Israel of the Old Testament. We find this principle addressed in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.
The God of the Old Testament is just as active and present today as He was in the day of Adam, the day of Noah, the day of Moses, the day of Isaiah. We are not Adam or any other character from either the Old Testament or the New Testament, but God is as faithful today as He has ever been. We just need to know His word and His Spirit. If we have a solid understanding of the principles of God, we will understand what God has for us and what God wants from us.
I don't have to split the Red Sea or the Jordan River. I don't have to defeat Goliath; I don't have to walk on water or feed the thousands from a small lunch. However, I face issues that are just as real and just as challenging as those situations were. For those who follow fully by faith, He will never leave nor forsake them. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
We face our own giants, our own temptations, our own obstacles, but we don't face them alone. I know the basic meaning of Philippians 4:13, but I also know the broader principle. When God's word says that I can do all things through Christ, it means I can do all that Christ calls me to do, if I act in faith.
There are promises and principles in the Old Testament that are applicable and livable in the Christian life. Salvation is not simply something that was done for us, it is something that God does in us. If you are not overcoming your obstacles, defeating your enemies, claiming your mountains, obtaining your victories, then you are not living in the Spirit; you are not living by the word. You have a dead formalism rather than a living relationship, you have a form of godliness, but you are denying the power thereof, you have a head filled with religion, but a heart void of God.
Some people are filled with wildfire. Some people are without any fire. What everyone needs is Divine fire, Holy Spirit fire, purifying, enlightening, and empowering us in a life of victory.
02/04/26 A DREAM SEQUENCE
02/04/26 A DREAM SEQUENCE
It is not unusual for me to get a few hours of good sleep, wake up, study for a while (since I am not tired and will not be going to sleep right away), and then go back to sleep.
I often have dreams. Some of them are like The TWILIGHT ZONE (mystery, adventure, comedy, thriller, and sometimes they are about me reaching out to unsaved people through witnessing or preaching. Sometimes I dream a storyline in parts. The following was probably a three-part dream sequence I had in my "second night's sleep," just before waking.
Without going into the details, Mark (when he was a teenager) and I, along with a group of strangers, were on a very large luxury yacht. Of course, Jesus was part of our normal conversation. This irked some of the other guests to the degree that they became physically abusive. Being non-violent does not mean being "a bump on a log" or being altogether passive, and sometimes God turns the confrontation around, turning the abuser into the target. This has happened many times in my own life, and in the lives of friends, and I have read about it happening in the lives of other Christians (some of whom did not previously subscribe to the non-violent position).
But, as it says in the old cowboy movies, "meanwhile, back at the ranch," Mark and I escaped with our lives. Biblically speaking, flight is one Christian option to the un-Biblical choice of fight, as seen in the lives of Jesus and Paul.
Part Two of the Dream Sequence (which seemed to be unrelated to Part One), was centered in an upscale shopping mall with a little Diner (like a roadside cafe). I was alone, sitting at a table, with one of my Bibles and a few Gospel tracts. For some reason I left the table. Apparently, I was leaving the Mall when I remembered that I had left my Bible and tracts on the table of the cafe. When I returned, I was directed to the mall office, since the cafe staff did not have my Bible. The office staff finally located my Bible (but not my gospel tracts), and I described it to them to prove my ownership. They told me the location of the person who had turned my Bible into the cafe staff. As I was leaving, I was praising the Lord and saying how important it was to have my Bible back. Someone asked why it was important. Since they asked the question publicly, I responded gladly and boldly by telling them that the Bible tells me the great truth that Jesus died to save me from my sins and death, at which time I gave a quick shout of praise. They reacted in support of my testimony. Then I quickly added that Jesus died and rose again for everyone, and I gave another shout of praise. The office staff smiled and expressed their appreciation. I was able to use the "lost and found" Bible situation to actually tell others about Jesus being in the lost and found people business.
In Part Three of the Dream Sequence, I was going to locate and thank the person who made it possible for me to retrieve my Bible. When I got to their posh apartment in the residential high-rise complex, I discovered that the occupant was the owner of the yacht.
When I introduced myself as the owner of the Bible to the man and his wife, he realized that I was the same person who had been involved in the confrontational incident on his boat, he was angry. He blamed me for causing the situation. I explained to them the actual circumstances, whereupon the became interested in my message and my motivation. I shared the gospel with both of them. They were warm and receptive and wanted me to come back to their home to hold a Bible study for them and some friends.
There is more to the dream, but this conveys the basics. Needless to say, I woke up refreshed, encouraged and looking forward to more opportunities to share the gospel. Sometimes circumstances seem to be dark and negative, but I have found, in real life, God works all things together for good to those who love the Lord. I have lived, and I have dreamed about being faithful in confrontational situations, without reverting to the carnal response of violence.
It's not just a dream, It's Real, It's Real, I know it's real.
It is not unusual for me to get a few hours of good sleep, wake up, study for a while (since I am not tired and will not be going to sleep right away), and then go back to sleep.
I often have dreams. Some of them are like The TWILIGHT ZONE (mystery, adventure, comedy, thriller, and sometimes they are about me reaching out to unsaved people through witnessing or preaching. Sometimes I dream a storyline in parts. The following was probably a three-part dream sequence I had in my "second night's sleep," just before waking.
Without going into the details, Mark (when he was a teenager) and I, along with a group of strangers, were on a very large luxury yacht. Of course, Jesus was part of our normal conversation. This irked some of the other guests to the degree that they became physically abusive. Being non-violent does not mean being "a bump on a log" or being altogether passive, and sometimes God turns the confrontation around, turning the abuser into the target. This has happened many times in my own life, and in the lives of friends, and I have read about it happening in the lives of other Christians (some of whom did not previously subscribe to the non-violent position).
But, as it says in the old cowboy movies, "meanwhile, back at the ranch," Mark and I escaped with our lives. Biblically speaking, flight is one Christian option to the un-Biblical choice of fight, as seen in the lives of Jesus and Paul.
Part Two of the Dream Sequence (which seemed to be unrelated to Part One), was centered in an upscale shopping mall with a little Diner (like a roadside cafe). I was alone, sitting at a table, with one of my Bibles and a few Gospel tracts. For some reason I left the table. Apparently, I was leaving the Mall when I remembered that I had left my Bible and tracts on the table of the cafe. When I returned, I was directed to the mall office, since the cafe staff did not have my Bible. The office staff finally located my Bible (but not my gospel tracts), and I described it to them to prove my ownership. They told me the location of the person who had turned my Bible into the cafe staff. As I was leaving, I was praising the Lord and saying how important it was to have my Bible back. Someone asked why it was important. Since they asked the question publicly, I responded gladly and boldly by telling them that the Bible tells me the great truth that Jesus died to save me from my sins and death, at which time I gave a quick shout of praise. They reacted in support of my testimony. Then I quickly added that Jesus died and rose again for everyone, and I gave another shout of praise. The office staff smiled and expressed their appreciation. I was able to use the "lost and found" Bible situation to actually tell others about Jesus being in the lost and found people business.
In Part Three of the Dream Sequence, I was going to locate and thank the person who made it possible for me to retrieve my Bible. When I got to their posh apartment in the residential high-rise complex, I discovered that the occupant was the owner of the yacht.
When I introduced myself as the owner of the Bible to the man and his wife, he realized that I was the same person who had been involved in the confrontational incident on his boat, he was angry. He blamed me for causing the situation. I explained to them the actual circumstances, whereupon the became interested in my message and my motivation. I shared the gospel with both of them. They were warm and receptive and wanted me to come back to their home to hold a Bible study for them and some friends.
There is more to the dream, but this conveys the basics. Needless to say, I woke up refreshed, encouraged and looking forward to more opportunities to share the gospel. Sometimes circumstances seem to be dark and negative, but I have found, in real life, God works all things together for good to those who love the Lord. I have lived, and I have dreamed about being faithful in confrontational situations, without reverting to the carnal response of violence.
It's not just a dream, It's Real, It's Real, I know it's real.
Monday, February 2, 2026
02/02/26 THE HIDDEN BLESSINGS
02/02/26 THE HIDDEN BLESSINGS
When I was a Bible college student, I paid my own way. In my senior year, Martha's mom came to JWC as Dean of Women. During that year, my future mother-in-law gave me a financial gift toward my education. She lovingly gave from her meager income. That may be the only money I got from any of my family. My home church also gave me a gift one time.
I certainly appreciate those two occasions. But I also appreciate God's provision and the opportunity to pay for my own college experience. I worked hard aboard fishing boats during my summer vacations (usually around 16 hours a day [preparation, fishing, assisting the Captain, tending to the fishing party, cleaning the boat, working on tackle and baits, trying to line up other charters in the evening]), and I found a wide variety of jobs during my four years at JWC (funeral home worker, ambulance attendant, Dairy Queen [soda jerk], Greensboro News and Record [circulation department], Sears loading dock worker, door to door salesman (home fire alarm system, Swipe household cleaning product, Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner, independent yard and garden work), not to mention the ministry opportunities I had on weekends and days off.
I faced the possibility of not continuing at JWC because I lacked the finances for school, and I knew what it was to go without meals, and I knew what it was to scrape a few coins together to buy fuel for my car in order to get to work and to get to school.
This is not a complaint. It is a praise. I needed God, and God was always there. Not only was He always there, but He taught me, led me, and built me up in the faith, through the trials I faced.
Before I went to JWC, I worked in restaurants, I did landscape jobs with an uncle, and I worked on fishing boats; I helped Daddy with projects. I was learning to grow up and be responsible before I went to college, but the four years away from home, finding jobs, supporting myself, paying my bills, sacrificing, disciplining myself, and motivating myself were part of my education.
My classes and studies and school activities took up a major part of my daytime, work schedules took up evening and long nighttime hours, and ministry opportunities (organized and freelance) took up my free time. It was physically demanding, mentally draining, emotionally challenging, not to mention the time I spent developing and learning from relationships, but I would not change any of it.
I pity the young people and young adults today who are spinning their wheels, chasing illusive dreams, stuffing their time with empty activity and mindless amusement. Relaxation, fun, amusement has its place (its limited place) in our lives, but real pleasures and real treasures come from the pursuit of the important, the useful, the eternal.
I am always amazed when I see young people who have set their minds on the things of God and are relentless in taking a new mountain for God.
I have always said that children and young people are not the church of the future; they are the church of today.
When I was a Bible college student, I paid my own way. In my senior year, Martha's mom came to JWC as Dean of Women. During that year, my future mother-in-law gave me a financial gift toward my education. She lovingly gave from her meager income. That may be the only money I got from any of my family. My home church also gave me a gift one time.
I certainly appreciate those two occasions. But I also appreciate God's provision and the opportunity to pay for my own college experience. I worked hard aboard fishing boats during my summer vacations (usually around 16 hours a day [preparation, fishing, assisting the Captain, tending to the fishing party, cleaning the boat, working on tackle and baits, trying to line up other charters in the evening]), and I found a wide variety of jobs during my four years at JWC (funeral home worker, ambulance attendant, Dairy Queen [soda jerk], Greensboro News and Record [circulation department], Sears loading dock worker, door to door salesman (home fire alarm system, Swipe household cleaning product, Rainbow Vacuum Cleaner, independent yard and garden work), not to mention the ministry opportunities I had on weekends and days off.
I faced the possibility of not continuing at JWC because I lacked the finances for school, and I knew what it was to go without meals, and I knew what it was to scrape a few coins together to buy fuel for my car in order to get to work and to get to school.
This is not a complaint. It is a praise. I needed God, and God was always there. Not only was He always there, but He taught me, led me, and built me up in the faith, through the trials I faced.
Before I went to JWC, I worked in restaurants, I did landscape jobs with an uncle, and I worked on fishing boats; I helped Daddy with projects. I was learning to grow up and be responsible before I went to college, but the four years away from home, finding jobs, supporting myself, paying my bills, sacrificing, disciplining myself, and motivating myself were part of my education.
My classes and studies and school activities took up a major part of my daytime, work schedules took up evening and long nighttime hours, and ministry opportunities (organized and freelance) took up my free time. It was physically demanding, mentally draining, emotionally challenging, not to mention the time I spent developing and learning from relationships, but I would not change any of it.
I pity the young people and young adults today who are spinning their wheels, chasing illusive dreams, stuffing their time with empty activity and mindless amusement. Relaxation, fun, amusement has its place (its limited place) in our lives, but real pleasures and real treasures come from the pursuit of the important, the useful, the eternal.
I am always amazed when I see young people who have set their minds on the things of God and are relentless in taking a new mountain for God.
I have always said that children and young people are not the church of the future; they are the church of today.
02/02/26 THE WHOLE WORK OF GOD
02/02/26 THE WHOLE WORK OF GOD
Biblical Holiness applies to both our behavior and our heart condition. Holiness describes the actions and nature of the Spirit-filled believer. Holiness of heart and life is the work of God in us and through us.
The word "holiness" is primarily used when referring to righteous behavior. This is a valid use of the word, but there is another correct use of the word, which is seldom mentioned.
In the Bible, "holiness" is sometimes used in reference to the spiritual condition of a person filled with the Holy Spirit.
Holiness can be used in reference to the behavior of a Christian (what we do), and it can also be used in reference to the purified nature of the Spirit-Baptized believer (what we are).
In other words, holiness of heart and life.
Interestingly enough, there are people who claim to be Christian, yet they deny that God enables Christians the grace to do His will, and they deny that God will actually deliver them from their sinful nature.
I feel sorry for the unsaved, who continue in a life of sin, and I feel sorry for the saved who continue in a life of Double-Mindedness because they refuse to trust God to deliver them from the evil heart of unbelief.
DO NOT BE DECEIVED INTO A LIFE OF SINNING BEHAVIOR, AND DO NOT BE DECEIVED INTO A LIFE OF CARNAL MINDEDNESS.
GOD DELIVERS FROM BOTH.
To my friends who are Christians and wonder why I keep saying that God will deliver you from the Old Man, remember, you keep saying to your unsaved friends that God will deliver them from living a life of sinful behavior.
We must be born again and quit our sinful behavior in order to inherit eternal life.
Likewise, we must have a pure, holy, righteous heart to inherit eternal life, which comes to the Christian by faith in God's cleansing power.
Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Biblical Holiness applies to both our behavior and our heart condition. Holiness describes the actions and nature of the Spirit-filled believer. Holiness of heart and life is the work of God in us and through us.
The word "holiness" is primarily used when referring to righteous behavior. This is a valid use of the word, but there is another correct use of the word, which is seldom mentioned.
In the Bible, "holiness" is sometimes used in reference to the spiritual condition of a person filled with the Holy Spirit.
Holiness can be used in reference to the behavior of a Christian (what we do), and it can also be used in reference to the purified nature of the Spirit-Baptized believer (what we are).
In other words, holiness of heart and life.
Interestingly enough, there are people who claim to be Christian, yet they deny that God enables Christians the grace to do His will, and they deny that God will actually deliver them from their sinful nature.
I feel sorry for the unsaved, who continue in a life of sin, and I feel sorry for the saved who continue in a life of Double-Mindedness because they refuse to trust God to deliver them from the evil heart of unbelief.
DO NOT BE DECEIVED INTO A LIFE OF SINNING BEHAVIOR, AND DO NOT BE DECEIVED INTO A LIFE OF CARNAL MINDEDNESS.
GOD DELIVERS FROM BOTH.
To my friends who are Christians and wonder why I keep saying that God will deliver you from the Old Man, remember, you keep saying to your unsaved friends that God will deliver them from living a life of sinful behavior.
We must be born again and quit our sinful behavior in order to inherit eternal life.
Likewise, we must have a pure, holy, righteous heart to inherit eternal life, which comes to the Christian by faith in God's cleansing power.
Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
02/01/26 TRUST THE TRUTH
02/01/26 TRUST THE TRUTH
(written during an historic snowstorm)
Even when you don't see it, the sun is still there.
Even when you don't see Him, the Son is still there.
And remember, the Son makes your heart WHITER than snow.
Even when you don't see Him, the Son is still there.
And remember, the Son makes your heart WHITER than snow.
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